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SCOTTSDALE COMMERCE & NEWS

IN THE KNOW

Resort Living: At home in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley

Paradise Valley and Scottsdale are home to some of the top resorts in the world. But who needs resorts when you have a home like this? Nestled along the northern stretches of Paradise Valley, …

Cullum Homes hits $100 million mark

CBRE negotiates sale of 2 north Scottsdale apartment communities for $312.5M

New executive sous chef appointed at JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn

NEWS

Subscriber Exclusive

10 years of Scottsdale Polo Party makes hoofprint in luxury sport

For the past decade, the sport of polo descends upon Scottsdale for one weekend in the fall — a fast, powerful and flashy event that has successfully etched a mark in the international athletic …

Subscriber Exclusive

Scottsdale’s neighboring communities support legal case against FAA

Three Valley communities have thrown their support behind Scottsdale’s lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration. Further, mediation between the FAA and city of Scottsdale was …

First Responders

Scottsdale hiker’s death being investigated by local police

The death of a Rhode Island woman is being investigated by Scottsdale Police Department after her body was found in the Brown’s Ranch hiking trail system, police officials say. The victim has …

Subscriber Exclusive

Scottsdale City Council opens door to look at temporary housing

There is no disputing the need for temporary housing, but there was a dispute about how to properly address the issue as some elected Scottsdale officials point to a convoluted problem.

SCOTTSDALE OPINION

From the vice mayor: Scottsdale general plan 2035 primer

The citizens of Scottsdale will be asked to vote on a new General Plan this November. It is a mail-in only vote. Ballots will be sent out in early October to registered voters. The goal of the …

Maxwell: Data shows students are falling behind as COVID impacts schools

I think we can all agree that COVID fatigue is well entrenched in everyone’s lives. There is not a single family that has not been affected by the pandemic. Some have paid a higher price …

Whitehead: Never forget Sept. 11, 2001

The best way for Americans to honor those lost on 9/11, is to get along. We need to stop quibbling and start listening to Mom. “Be nice” even if someone else isn’t because …

Alexander: Facts vs fear of Scottsdale apartments

The Phoenix-metro area is in the midst of historic population growth. The Valley’s population has grown 2% year-over-year since 2015, compared to 0.5% population growth for the rest of the …

Eskildson: Arizona’s educators are preparing graduates for a half-century ago

At what level should education standards/goals be set? Years and hundreds of millions of dollars have been wasted across the nation providing unique “answers” to that question for …

Photo by Arianna Grainey/Independent Newsmedia

Janik: A celebration of Old Town Scottsdale

Old Town Scottsdale is home to award winning restaurants, hundreds of unique retail shops, and dozens of fine art galleries. It houses museums, performing art theaters, and historic sites from …

Cochill: My response to Hinchman’s ‘looking for compassion’ opinion

Compassion is a wonderful thing. Bravo for Ms. Hinchman to select that word in response to the COVID-19 we all face. I wonder if her compassion extends to those of us who do not share her …

Cantor: Mirror, mirror on the wall, who are the fakest Republicans of them all?

What the heck happened to the Republican Party? Why have some of these people who are of above-average intelligence, given up governance for political gamesmanship? Why have they so willingly …

Norton: The boondoggle DRB hearing raises more questions

Scottsdale’s Development Review Board (DRB) performs some critical functions for our city. Arbitrating neighborhood squabbles is not one of those functions. Neither is serving as an appellate …

Shannon: Reflecting on work done, work yet to do post 9/11

On this 20th anniversary of the horrors of Sept. 11, 2001, I am reminded of the selfless contributions that shaped the nations response to Americans in need. All of us have our own 9/11 story, we …

SCOTTSDALE EDUCATION

Scottsdale schools have National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

Students attending various Scottsdale schools were listed among the names of approximately 16,000 semiﬁnalists in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust awards $1M grant to Notre Dame Prep

Trustees of the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust recently awarded $1 million to Notre Dame Preparatory as part of the largest single-day grant initiative in Arizona’s history.

Scottsdale Schools officially joins JUUL Labs litigation

The Scottsdale Unified School District prepares to “catch the vapors” in more ways than one as governing board members recently approved a retention agreement for litigation, igniting an official legal complaint against electronic cigarette/vaping manufacturers.

Recall petition paperwork filed for Scottsdale school board members

Paperwork seeking to recall four of five Scottsdale Unified School District governing board members has been filed with the Office of Maricopa County School Superintendent, documents show. The root …

A new era: Kiva Elementary hosts official ground breaking ceremony

Kiva Elementary School officially broke ground on its campus modernization project, estimated to cost $18.5 million, during an Aug. 19 ceremony featuring community members, district officials and Paradise Valley leaders.

Scottsdale community takes school board to task over masks

Having mask mandates in some local school districts may offer a level of protection for students and staff but fails to shield Scottsdale school administrators from public fury aimed at them.

Stephanie Kaye is the new headmaster of kindergarten through fifth grade at Great Hearts Archway Cicero.

Stephanie Kaye becomes headmaster at Great Hearts Archway Cicero

Great Hearts Academies names Stephanie Kaye as new headmaster of kindergarten through fifth grade at Great Hearts Archway Cicero.

Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory is leaving masks up to individual parents after a more restrictive school year last year.

Phoenix-based private schools find way through divisive mask debate

The issue of face masks has been debated at many a recent Valley school district governing board meeting, with some parents vehemently against a requirement and some in favor of the COVID-19 mitigation effort.

Scottsdale Neighbors & Business Reporting

Neighbors

Great American Seed Up will return to Phoenix

The Great American Seed Up returns to North Phoenix Baptist Church, 5757 N. Central Ave., Phoenix for its first live event since March of 2020.

St. Joseph the Worker to host annual Celebration of the Worker event

From 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 24, St. Joseph the Worker will host its seventh annual Celebration of the Worker Breakfast event.

Anti-war rally held in Scottsdale on 9/11

A peaceful anti-war rally and 9/11 commemoration event will be held at Scottsdale’s El Dorado Park on Saturday, Sept. 11. The noon-3 p.m. event is hosted by the Arizona Libertarian Party …

Narrative

What does it take to be an Olympic athlete?

If there’s anything that the recent Tokyo Olympics showed us, it’s that Olympians are just like us, only more so. They suffer from the same anxieties, and similar financial and …

North Scottsdale United Methodist Church hosting ‘Blessing of the Backpacks’ party

North Scottsdale United Methodist Church will celebrate the new school year with a blessing, party and pretzels from the Mustache Pretzel Food Truck, with mustache-shaped pretzels, during the UMW Sunday worship service at 10 a.m., Sept. 12.

DAR promotes Constitution Week, Sept. 17-23

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution encourages Americans to reflect on the U.S. Constitution during this month’s annual observance of the foundational document of national governance.

Kids in Focus names Billie Jo, Judd Herberger honorary chairs for upcoming fundraiser

Kids in Focus has announced Billie Jo and Judd Herberger returning as honorary chairs for the Third Annual Noche para los Niños — Night for the Children — event.

Philanthropy

Scottsdale nonprofit hosts golf tournament to benefit veterans, military spouses

Acronis SCSVets, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing veteran and military spouses under and unemployment, announced its first annual golf tournament on Sept. 10 at the Arizona Grand Golf Course. …

Subscriber Exclusive

Scottsdale WWII veteran Falchook celebrates 95th birthday

Bernard Falchook, a Scottsdale World War II veteran, has many memories he holds dear to him on his 95th birthday, Sept. 2.

Business

The Independent Interview: Lee Ann Witt pushes Scottsdale Leadership forward

Creating a positive, lasting impact in Scottsdale — that’s Lee Ann Witt’s mission. Witt serves as executive director of Scottsdale Leadership, a home-grown 501(c)(3) leadership …

Scottsdale Entertainment

Gardens of the World landscape competition to debut at the Maricopa County Home and Garden Show

The Maricopa County Home and Garden Show, the largest home show in the Southwest, returns to WestWorld of Scottsdale Friday, Oct. 15 through Sunday, Oct. 17 featuring “Gardens of the …

Local concert series slates second performance

Fountain Hills Theater announces the second concert in its “A Series of One Night Stands.” “Masquerade” will be presented on Sunday, Oct. 3 at 7:00 p.m. Talented …

Owner/curator Nicole Royse looks forward to celebrating the gallery's four year anniversary.

Royse Contemporary to celebrate 4-year anniversary, Sept.16

Royse Contemporary is hosting an intimate celebration for its four year anniversary from 6 to 9 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 16.

Scottsdale Gallery Association, The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library to present ‘Clue: Art + Literature Trivia Scavenger Hunt’ ArtWalk at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14.

‘Clue Art + Literature Trivia Scavenger Hunt’ to be held in Scottsdale , Oct. 14

The Scottsdale Gallery Association and The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library, which raises money to support the library’s special programs, have partnered to present “Clue: Art + Literature Trivia Scavenger Hunt,” at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14.

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Calendar of events

1-Wall Line Dancing

Gentle Tai Chi - Qigong

Neil Simon's hilarious comedy, Rumors, opens …

Gentle Tai Chi - Qigong

Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market